Kilo of cocaine seized in ADDU raid

ALBANY, GA (WALB) - Hundreds of thousands of dollars in drugs, cash, jewelry, and cars were seized by the Albany Dougherty Drug Unit in an overnight raid. Two men are now in jail in what drug agents call a significant bust.

Drug agents found more than a kilo of cocaine, worth more than 100 thousand dollars on the street, hidden in cereal boxes when they raided the apartment on Fernridge Drive about 2:30 Wednesday morning. GBI and Drug Enforcement Administration agents also took part in the raid. 40 year old Sidney Whitfield, who agents say was the ringleader, and 27 year old Darrell Warren were arrested and charged with trafficking cocaine.

ADDU Commander Major Bill Berry said "This is not typical for what we see in a dealer here. This is a major player."

Agents also found more than 30 thousand dollars in cash, a gun, and drug paraphernalia needed to process crack cocaine. Also seized, a $40,000 necklace, encrusted in diamonds. A $23,400 diamond watch. $450 Gucci shoes. Two cars and all the electronics and furniture in the house were also seized. Agents say they got information leading them to these dealers, but are not sure how far their circle of distribution was.

Berry said "We're still doing the investigation into that, but obviously this is reaching well into our county and surrounding counties."

D.E.A. agents say Atlanta is a major hub of cocaine in the south, and that drug organizations are spreading across the state.

D.E.A. Resident Agent in Charge David Taylor said "In fact some of the major organizations that we are seeing are setting up shop in the smaller communities just to avoid detection."

Drug agents say they will continue to investigate these dealers, and more arrests could be pending.

Drug agents say they worked with Police in Sumter County, Plains, and Dawson in their investigation. Warren and Whitfield are being held in the Dougherty County jail.